When I began researching Public Relations I slowly began to realise the career wasn’t as glamorous as Samantha’s job from Sex and the City. So what made me still think this was the right career for me?
Once I started looking for my University course I looked at everything from American Studies to Marketing, I had no idea what career I wanted to go into. I thought about Journalism, but realised there was no money in that, and as exciting as a career in Marketing may have been, I still didn’t feel like it was right for me. I wanted a course that covered all areas, something that was exciting and different.
I think that is the one thing that made Public Relations stand out. It is a growing industry with a fast paced environment, something you can really get your teeth into. It’s not your typical 9 to 5 office job, it’s different, it’s challenging, it’s hard work, and it’s worth it.
I won’t deny it, choosing Public Relations at University was a risk for me, as I didn’t fully understand what the course had to offer, I just knew the outlines and talks were much more interesting then the History open days I went to. Therefore I know trying to sell Public Relations to someone who knows nothing about it is difficult. Many think you are living in a fairytale world hoping to be the next big thing on The Spin Crowd. To others it’s a boring career option because it is under the “Faculty of Business and Law”. I believe Public Relations is whatever you want it to be.
So why did I choose it over everything else? The course is more hands on, rather than academic. We are not writing essays all the time and sitting a hundred exams every month. We present, create and work outside University to create and build our Portfolio ready for after University. That to me is very appealing. Being able to build something to show future employees, to show you are different, rather than just having a degree.
Public Relations is everywhere, therefore there are so many sectors you can go into. This is another reason why I chose PR as you are not just having a career and sticking to it, you are getting taught the fundamental’s so you can venture into all areas of the field if you wish to do so. It is the skills that you learn from this course that can not only benefit you within Public Relations but in everyday life. You are able to build up confidence very quickly as well as being able to promote, sell and negotiate ideas.
The opportunities that are available within Public Relations were probably the main reason as to why I chose this course. Things such as planning events, volunteering and creating campaigns come often within this course. It is sort of a fun way of starting at the bottom of the chain. It pulls you right in at the deep end, and challenges you from the very start.
There is no easy ride at University, no more so with this course, however, Public Relations allows the imagination, creativity and opportunities no other course does.
